USB/COM ports

[pmrid]

I use EQMOD to run my EQ8 and HEQ5 scopes. And it also drives the focusers on the scopes on each. I use the EQMOD dongle for the mounts and have done so for some time without issues.

The scopes and the focusers both have those virtual COM ports and these are allocated automatically by Windows. However, today, I had occasion to switch computers and in the process something decidedly strange has happened to my COM ports. The EQMOD Setup for the scope won't see any Ports above 16. Which is wierd because the focuser is on COM17 and it both connects and operates smoothly. And also, both USB/COM Ports are shown as connected in Device Manager as COM 17 and 18.

It's wierd.

I had a look at the Port Settings in Device Manager/System and under the advanced setting, it seems all ports from 3 to 16 are shown as being ïn use" although I don't know what is using them. And com 17 -and 18 are not shown as being in use despite showing up as COM Ports. But when I try to rename the troublesome one from 18 to say 1 or 2, it won't recognise them and the EQMOD setup for the scope still won't see any ports above 16 (despite 17 working fine on the focuser).

Anyone got any clever ideas.

Peter

[Dennis]

I had some COM port problems connecting my mount to various planetarium apps and found this reference on a UK Forum some while ago and it helped me fix my problem.

http://www.astronomyshed.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=5761

I followed these instructions and “uninstalled” COM ports with daft numbers (10, 11, 12, through to 30’s) and was then able to connect to my mount on the lower COM ports, such as 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 depending on which Notebook I used and also depending on which USB Port I connected my 4 Serial Port adapter to.

Cheers

Dennis

[pmrid]

Thanks Denis. I stumbled across something similar - and with the same good result.
What a relief.
Peter